Winter 2012 Resulted in More Apple Quantity and Quality

A record 120,000 metric tons of apples are expected to be harvested for the local market this year, following this past cold and rainy winter. The figure compares to the 115,000 tons harvested in 2011. The fall holidays will see the average monthly consumption of 10,000 tons rise to 15,000 tons. The average Israeli consumes 22-24 kilograms/48-53 pounds of the fruit each year. A number of new strains have been introduced to Israeli apple orchards, 95 percent of which are in the Galilee and the Golan Heights. The eighth annual export to Syria of 5,000-12,000 tons of apples grown by Golan Heights Druze is in question because of the civil war there.

Amos Levin, chairman of the apple desk at the plant board said, "The cold and rainy winter brought about the ability to grow apples of special size, color and quality." The 7,000 tons of apples imported from Europe and the United States are thought to be of lesser quality.